asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any study was ever carried out on the application of computers in his Department; and, if so, if any recommendations were made but not implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Application of Computers in Department of Social Welfare.
47.
A group of officers from my Department and from the Department of Finance carried out a study of the possibility of using a computer in the Department of Social Welfare. The group recommended that a decision, in principle, should be taken to install an electronic data processing system in the Department. A start has been made in implementing the recommendation in the Accounts Branch of the Department.
How long ago was the decision made and when will it be implemented?
Steps are being taken at the moment to prepare for the implementation of it in the Accounts Branch. The decision to do so was taken some time ago.
Why was there a delay?
For the very obvious reason that it will mean a complete reformation of the organisation of the Department and this cannot be done in a day. My Department issues two and a half million cheques in a year and we cannot move into a completely new system overnight.
Would the Minister agree that if the decision to implement this had been made more promptly, it would have helped to reduce the delays we were discussing on the last question?
It will. I hope to have it done as soon as possible.